Spreading device, method and powder-like mixture composition for controlling or preventing forest pathogens on tree stumps

ABSTRACT

A spreading device, a powder-like mixture composition and a method for spreading the composition for control or prevent forest pathogens on tree stumps are disclosed.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority of Finnish national patent applicationnumber 20185135, filed on 15 Feb. 2018 the content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and compositions to control or preventgrowth of forest pathogens. The invention also relates to devices in useof such methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diseases of the root system are some of the most serious problems offorest and nursery trees. The major root diseases of trees are caused bywood decaying fungal pathogens that are capable of persisting longperiods as saprophytes. In general, trees exhibiting good growth andvigor are resistant to root diseases while those suffering from variousstresses and/or less vigor are most susceptible to root diseases. Rootdiseases caused, for example, by the following forest pathogensArmillaria species, Heterobasidion species, Leptographium species orPhytophthora species are widely distributed. More particularly,Heterobasidion species (e.g. H. annosum) are highly destructive andcause a root rot in most pines and butt rot inside the trunk of sprucetrees. The fungus mainly spreads via airborne spores and successfulinfection can occur when spores germinate on a freshly cut, moistsurface that is not immediately subjected to drying or heat. The fungusmay then grow into the stump and roots and nearby trees through rootconnections. Nearly one-fourth of spruce stands in southern Finland havealready been damaged by the root and butt rot fungus. The disease willspread to healthy forests unless aerial infection is prevented bytreating the stumps in connection with tree felling.

Logging during the warm season, creating freshly cut stump surfaces andwounding the trees at harvest are the main reasons for rot damages inforests, which means that harvesting activity in the summertime has astrong effect on the spread of the disease. As a result of summertimelogging and global warming, it is even expected that decay of sprucewill further increase if infection by the root and butt rot funguscannot be sufficiently prevented. Airborne fungal spores infect thesurface of freshly cut tree stumps, where they begin to grow, andultimately colonize the entire stump. The fungus grows into the stumpand spreads along its roots to spruces nearby. This is how the diseasespreads below ground to surrounding healthy trees.

Root and butt rot infection caused by Heterobasidion species can beprevented by performing all logging operations in the winter or bytreating the exposed surfaces of the cut stumps with a protectivesubstance in summertime logging. Since the disease cannot be completelyeliminated by any procedures, it is very important to protect healthyforest stands where root and butt rot fungus is not yet established.

Prevention of root and butt rot or forest pathogens is thereforeextremely important, and one important step in it is to treat the stumpscreated in the felling process with a substance preventing the root andbutt rot fungus. There are several substances available for thetreatment of tree stumps and prevention of root and butt rot, but forbiological control of the pathogen, a particularly suitable product isone containing Phlebiopsis gigantea fungal spores in a culture medium ornot, which itself is powdery but applied manually or mechanically as asolution with water. Phlebiopsis gigantea is a natural competitor of theroot and butt rot fungus, and treating the freshly cut stumps withspores of this fungus prevents the root and but rot fungus frominfecting them.

The main problem in the application of the Phlebiopsis gigantea funguscomposition in liquid form to prevent root and butt rot by stumptreatment is the large amount of water needed for application of theaqueous solution of the Phlebiopsis gigantea preparation on stumps incommercial logging operations. An additional problem is the limitedsurvival of Phlebiopsis gigantea in an aqueous solution. Furthermore,mixing the Phlebiopsis gigantea preparation (i.e. spores) homogeneouslywith water can be problematic.

With the above prior art as a starting point, the present invention isintended to eliminate or at least alleviate the above-mentionedproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the object of the invention is intended to specifically provide amethod and apparatus for applying microbial propagules onto a tree stumpin a composition which allows considerably lower amounts of thecomposition containing the microbial propagules to be applied.

On a more general level, the object of the present invention is intendedto provide an applicator device for administering microbial propagulesonto a tree stump for controlling or preventing forest pathogens, forexample bacterial or fungal pathogens. In an embodiment, the pathogensare forestry pathogenic fungi. Specifically, the object is to providemicrobial propagules, which comprise spores of a Phlebiopsis ormicrobial propagules which comprise spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea.

Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide acomposition in the form of a powder-like mixture comprising Phlebiopsisgigantea spores in which the fungus would be more stable compared to aconventional liquid formulation comprising Phlebiopsis gigantea spores.In conventional liquid formulation, it has been determined that thespores survive only one or two days. However, the spores mixed with afine-grained carrier have an enhanced stability for prolonged periods.In addition, the objective of the invention is to provide a compositionin which Phlebiopsis gigantea spores would be homogeneously distributed.Again, on a more general level the object of the present invention is toprovide a composition in the form of a powder-like mixture comprisingmicrobial propagules in a stable form.

Accordingly above mentioned objectives can be achieved, for example, bymeans of the spreading device to administer onto a tree stump acomposition which comprises microbial propagule to control or preventthe growth of a forest pathogen. This spreading device comprises: aspreading end connected to a pipe-like frame, and administering meansfor administering said composition, wherein the administering meanscomprise a pressure accumulator for loading pressurized air, thepressure accumulator being connected to a first end of the spreadingdevice's frame via a supply pipe and regulating means which comprises atleast one regulating valve for regulating flow of the pressurized airentering the frame which regulating means further comprisescommunication means for providing to the at least one regulating valvedata about starting time of pressurized air delivery and data aboutduration of said pressurized air delivery, wherein said pressure leveldelivered pressurized air depends on the diameter of the tree stump andwhich administering means further comprises: a powder storage whichcontains a powder-like mixture comprising microbial propagule and asolid fine carrier, which powder storage is configured to be capable ofbeing brought into a flow connection of the powder-like mixture with theframe, and a control device connected to a second end of the frame foradministering the powder-like mixture inside the frame and means forblowing the powder-like mixture onto a tree stump via a spreading headconnected to the frame.

Further the above mentioned objectives can be achieved by means of apowder cartridge containing a powder-like mixture, which powdercartridge is adapted to be used in a spreading device disclosed herein,wherein the powder-like mixture of the powder cartridge can be broughtinto the flow connection with the frame of the spreading device by theusage of a control apparatus, and which powder-like mixture comprisesmicrobial propagules and a solid fine carrier, wherein said solid finecarrier has volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm³, at least 0.60g/cm³ or at least 1 g/cm³ and wherein amount of the powder-like mixtureto be administered on a tree stump is arranged to be depend on diameterof the tree stump to be treated.

The invention also relate to a composition in the form of powder-likemixture, the composition comprising microbial propagules and a solidfine carrier and the microbial propagules being fungal spores whichcontrol or prevent the growth of forest pathogens on a tree stump andwherein said solid fine carrier has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50g/cm³, at least 0.60 g/cm³, or at least 1 g/cm³.

A further solution to above mentioned problems which fulfil the aboveobjections of this invention is to provide a method to control orprevent growth of Heterobasidion fungal pathogen on a tree stump, themethod comprising the steps of: a) providing a composition as describedherein, and b) spreading or dispersing the composition in a powder-likemixture on said tree stump by a machine or manually.

Yet another solution to above mention objections of the invention is toprovide a method or spreading or dispersing onto a tree stump apowder-like mixture comprising microbial propagules controlling orpreventing growth of a forest pathogen, and a solid fine carrier havinga volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm³, at least 0.60 g/cm³ or atleast 1 g/cm³, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) receivingdata about dosage of a powder-like mixture by regulating means of adispersing device, b) dosing the powder-like mixture to an amount whichdepends on the diameter of the tree stump to be treated, c) forming anaerosol from pressurized gas and the powder-like mixture by deliveringpressurized gas on an adjusted amount and possible also on an adjustedrate into the powder like-mixture, d) spreading or dispersing theaerosol onto a tree stump by means of pressurized gas flow.

Specifically, the present invention relates to the use of thecomposition comprising the powder-like mixture for controlling orpreventing growth of forest pathogens on a tree stump, which useincludes the spreading or dispersing of the powder-like mixture on saidtree stump by machine or manually.

The powder-like mixture comprises (or consists of) fungal spores, in thepresence or not of a culture medium (S), and, additionally, a solidfine-grained carrier (K) and can include a marker dye or a nutritionalsupplement, or a mixture thereof. The powdery mixture of the presentinvention is capable of absorbing water.

As used herein, the term “microbial propagules” is intended to refer toa material that can used for the purpose of propagating an organism tothe next stage in their life cycle via dispersal and comprises spores orvegetative cells of microbiological origin including all bacteria,fungi, viruses, protozoans, yeasts, slime molds, chlamydospores, hyphae,and cysts. Generally, spores in this application mean either spores offungi or bacteria, preferably spores of fungi. As it is known in theart, “spores” are reproductive structures, usually adapted for dispersaland surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions.Fungal propagules also include conidia (also termed conidiospores ormitospores) which are asexual non-mobile spores.

In the present application, the microorganism is cultivated on a culturemedium as, for example, a solid growth medium. For example, amorphoussilica (i.e. silica gel) or rice can be used as a culture medium (orsolid growth medium) for the cultivation of fungal spores. It can beunderstood that any of the well-known solid growth medium can be used inthe context of the present invention. After cultivation, the colonizedculture or growth medium is dried to obtain a powdery product comprisingfungal spores. A colonized growth medium usually does not contain enoughnutrients to promote the growth of the fungus on a tree stump.Therefore, nutritional supplements can be dispensed into thepowdery-like mixture comprising fungal spores to accelerate the growthof the fungus (as, for example, the growth of Phlebiopsis sp.) on a treestump as well as to improve its efficacy against the forest pathogen.Such nutritional supplements can be e.g. lignin and its derivatives suchas lignosulphonates or lignohumates.

To be more precise, the invention relate to a spreading device foradministering onto a tree stump a composition which comprises microbialpropagules to treat or prevent pathogen, which spreading device has aspreading end connected to a pipe-like frame, and administering meansfor administering said composition. Administering means comprise afeeding device for pressurized air connected to the first end of thespreading device's frame and regulating means for regulating thepressure of pressurized air entering the frame, a powder storage incontact with the frame, which storage contains a powder-like mixturemade up of microbial propagules and a solid fine-grained carrier, and aregulating device connected to the second end of the frame foradministering the powder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame and meansfor blowing the powder-like mixture (S, K) onto a tree stump, via thespreading end connected to the frame.

Preferably, the feeder apparatus comprises a powder storage with acontainer having powder-like mixture and means for bringing thepowder-like mixture to the inside of the frame.

Advantageously the powder-like mixture of the present inventioncomprises microbial propagules which control or prevent the growth ofHeterobasidion spp. More particularly, the powder-like mixture of thepresent invention controls or prevents the growth of Heterobasidionoccidentale, Heterobasidion irregulare, Heterobasidion parviporum orHeterobasidion annosum.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention the powder-likemixture (S, K) is made up of microbial propagules in the presence or notof the culture medium used for producing the microbial propagules and asolid fine carrier and can include a marker dye and a nutritionalsupport. In an embodiment, the microbial propagules are free of culturemedium. In an embodiment, the microbial propagules are in combinationwith a culture medium used for producing the microbial propagules.

Advantageously the microbial propagules are fungal spores. For example,the fungal spores are from the genera Phlebiopsis. In a furtherembodiment, the spores are from Phlebiopsis gigantea. An advantage ofusing Phlebiopsis gigantea is its ability to colonize a stump surface,Phlebiopsis gigantea grows into the stump and penetrates deep into theroot system, naturally outcompeting Heterobasidion spp. and preventingit from becoming established or spreading.

In an embodiment, the strains of Phlebiopsis gigantea used in thepresent invention are Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304,Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combinationthereof. These strains are highly effective against Heterobasidion spp.

In another embodiment, the powder cartridge according to presentinvention, which is used in a feeding device contains a powder-likemixture, which comprises microbial propagules and a solid fine carrier.In an embodiment, the volume weight (or volumetric weight or density)ratio of the solid fine carrier is at least 0.3 g/cm³ (or g/ml), 0.4g/cm³, 0.5 g/cm³, 0.6 g/cm³, 0.7 g/cm³, 0.8 g/cm³, 0.9 g/cm³ or at least1.0 g/cm³ or more than 1.0 g/cm³.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the powder cartridgeavailable in the applicator includes powdery mixture comprising fungalspores of Phlebiopsis gigantea in the presence or not of a culturemedium used for producing the spores and a solid fine-grained carrierhaving a volume weight ratio of at least 0.5 g/ml (or g/cm³). In anembodiment, the fungal spores are in the presence of the culture mediumused for producing the spores. The culture medium for fungal sporescomprises preferably amorphous silica.

The invention is based on the one hand to the general idea thatmicrobial propagules, which may or may not include their culture orgrowth medium, are applied in the form of powder onto a tree stump incombination with a solid fine carrier having a volume weight ratio of atleast 0.5 g/ml (0.5 g/cm³) in order to obtain a high density powder-likemixture. This high density powder-like mixture facilitates theapplication of fungal spores and their retention onto the stumps.Application of microbial propagules as a powdery mixture of the presentinvention makes it possible to use significantly smaller amounts ofpowder-like-mixture compared to an equivalent preparation applied as anaqueous solution while maintaining the same activity or efficacy.

On the other the present invention is based on the general idea ofspreading or dispensing above mentioned microbial propagules incombination with a solid fine carrier onto a tree stump by using aspreading device which uses pressurized air for spreading microbialpropagules in combination with a solid fine carrier onto tree stump.Advantageously this spreading device will receive wireless controlcommands relating to amount of microbial propagules in combination witha solid fine carrier and the amount and delivery time automatically fromharvester head hydraulic system. Advantageously these control commandsare received from hydraulic circuit which controls the hydraulicactuator connected to the use of chain saw when a standing tree iscutted to a tree stump.

More particularly, fungal spores of Phiebiopsis (as, for example, fungalspores of P. gigantea) in the presence or not of amorphous silica usedas a solid growth media, are applied in the form of powder onto a treestump in combination with a solid carrier having a volume weight ratioof at least 0.5 g/ml to obtain a high density powder-like mixture. Thishigh density powder-like mixture facilitates the application of fungalspores and their retention onto the stumps. Application of fungal sporesof Phiebiopsis as a powder mixture makes possible to use significantlysmaller amounts of powder-like mixture compared to an equivalentpreparation applied as an aqueous solution while maintaining the sameactivity or efficacy.

It has been established that the required amount of Phiebiopsis giganteaspores (in combination or not with a solid growth media) is of about 25to 100 g per hectare of harvested forest area, regardless of theapplication method. If the composition is in an aqueous solution, thespores of Phiebiopsis gigantea are mixed in water and the solution isapplied at a rate of 25 to 100 liters per hectare of harvested area.Thus, the application rate of the composition comprising Phlebiopsisgigantea microbial propagules, in the presence or not of the culturemedium used for producing the microbial propagules, in a liquid form isabout 25-100 kg per hectare of harvested area.

On the other hand, the application rate of the powder-like mixtureaccording to the present invention is only 0.25-1 kg per hectare ofharvested area. This represents about 1/100 of the consumption of asimilar formulation applied as an aqueous solution as described above.Both the powder-like mixture and the aqueous solution contain the samenumber of active spores of Phiebiopsis gigantea, but the spore contentper unit of weight of the powder-like mixture is considerably higherthan the spore content of aqueous solution per unit of weight in theaqueous solution.

The spores of Phiebiopsis gigantea in combination or not with the solidgrowth medium used for the cultivation of the fungus form a cultivationpowder (or a colonized growth medium). The volume weight density of thiscombination is very low (e.g. if the medium is silica gel, the volumeweight of the colonized growth medium is only about 0.22 g/ml), whichimplies that its mechanical application can be problematic as thecolonized growth media sprayed on the tree stumps may easily be blownaway. However, when a suitable solid carrier such as, for example limewhich has a sufficiently high-volume weight (about 1.44 g/ml), is addedto the colonized growth media, a powder-like mixture according to thepresent invention is obtained which powdery-like mixture allows a betterdistribution and surface colonization of the stump by the fungus.

This concept may be broadened to application of any microbial propagulesas a powder mixture. Indeed, as mentioned, very light microbialpropagules may easily be blown away from the tree stump by wind. Addinga suitable high volume weight (or density) solid carrier to a sporemixture will allow a better surface colonization by the microbialpropagules.

From the powder-like mixture an aerosol of solid matter is formed in thespreading device by means of pressurized air, after which thepowder-like mixture can be aimed at and mechanically applied to adesired location.

In addition, as mentioned, the invention achieves the significantbenefit that in a powder-like mixture such as powdery mixture comprisingspores of Phlebiopsis gigantea, fungal spores remain alive much longerthan in an aqueous solution.

The use of a powder-like mixture such as a powdery mixture furtherachieves a significant additional benefit compared with a liquidformulation, as a powdery mixture does not need to be mixed with waterat the place of use. Indeed, the powdery mixture can simply be mountedin the container of the applicator in the form of a powder cartridge andthereafter the powder contained in the powder cartridge can be deliveredto the target by means of an applicator using pressurized air.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the powder cartridgeincludes a solid fine-grained carrier. As used herein, the solid carriercomprises one or more organic or inorganic carriers or a mixturethereof. Examples of inorganic carriers that could be used in thecontext of the present invention comprise, but are not limited to, lime,calcium carbonate, kaolin, bentonite, talc, gypsum, vermiculite,perlite, amorphous silica, granular clay or a mixture thereof. In apreferred embodiment, the solid carrier is lime or calcium carbonate. Inan embodiment, the fine-grained carrier is calcium carbonate. Examplesof organic carriers comprise, for example, fine-grained cellulose powder(e.g. microcrystalline cellulose), polysaccharides (chitin, chitosan,polyacrylamide), sugars, lignin derivatives, cereal flours, yeastextract, betaine or fine-grained composition made of cereal grains,bran, sawdust, peat or wood chips or a mixture thereof. Alternatively,any other suitable solid fine-grained carrier can be used in the contextof the present invention.

The solid carriers used in the context of the present invention have asufficient specific gravity (or density) to allow the powder-likemixture to be mechanically applied onto the tree stump.

For example, the volume weight density of lime or calcium carbonate isrelatively high and in addition, their particle size is favorable fromthe standpoint of distribution of the powder mixture on the stumps. Ifthe grain size of the carrier particles is too small, the powderymixture easily flies away with the wind, and an excessive grain size ofthe carrier particles relative to the particle size of the culturepowder colonized growth media in turn causes uneven spread of the powderand the fungal spores of Phiebiopsis gigantea therein onto the treestump. The size distribution of the lime or calcium carbonate particlesis the same order of magnitude as with the solid growth media (e.g.amorphous silica) (about 0.01 mm). Therefore, the fungal spores ofPhlebiopsis gigantea spread evenly into the powdered mixture.

The powder-like mixture of the present invention is an inoculantcomprising (or consisting of) 5 to 50 w-% of microbial propagules, 5 to90 w-% of a solid carrier, 0 to 5 w-% of a marker dye (or a colouringsubstance) and 0 to 40 w-% of a nutritional supplement. In anembodiment, the powder-like mixture of the present invention comprises(or consists of) 10 to 30 w-% of microbial propagules and 20 to 80 w-%of a solid carrier and may further comprises 0.5 to 5 w-% of a markerdye (or a colouring substance) or 0.5 to 20 w-% of a nutritionalsupplement, or a mixture thereof. In a further embodiment, thepowder-like mixture comprises (or consists of) 20 to 30% w-% ofPhlebiopsis gigantea spores, 60 to 70 w-% of calcium carbonate, 0.5 to 3w-% of marker dye and 0.5 to 10 w-% of a nutritional supplement.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the powder cartridgefurther comprises (or contains) microbial propagules in the presence ornot of the culture medium used for producing the microbial propagulesand can include a marker dye and/or supplemental nutrients. Any knownsupplemental nutrients can be used in the context of the presentinvention. For example, the supplemental nutrient is selected from agroup including lignin and its derivatives such as lignosulfonate andlignohumate.

Supplemental nutrients are beneficial for starting the growth ofPhlebiopsis gigantea spores while the dye is for marking a treated treestump.

In the following, the invention and the benefits that can be achievedwith it will be further illustrated with reference to the accompanyingdrawings and example 1 which describes the properties of the powder-likemixture.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows an applicator according to the invention in a perspectiveview.

FIG. 1B shows an applicator according to FIG. 1, viewed from thedirection IB of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows an applicator according to FIG. 1, viewed from thedirection IC of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows the applicator presented in FIGS. 1A-1C as an explodedview.

FIG. 3 shows schematically the principle of forming aerosol from drymatter.

FIG. 4 shows a sieve analysis of lime.

FIG. 5 illustrates schematically the control system and measurements ofthe harvester head.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the general method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates schematically spreading device and a chain saw, asviewed from a side and at a beginning of the present method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the main structures of an applicator according to theinvention are first described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 1A-1C show fungal spore applicator (spreading device) 1 accordingto the invention from slightly different angles of view but without anyregulating means 41 or pressure accumulator needed for controlling andstoring of the pressurized air (I). The feeding of pressurized air I isillustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows the spreading device as an explodedview.

Spreading device 1, such as aerosol applicator, has a tubular frame 2.Aerosol spreading head 3, is associated with the first end of tubularframe 2 seen in the forefront. Frame 2 also includes administering means4 for forming a spore-containing aerosol A which is applied usingspreading head 3, equipped with a back-pressure valve, onto a tree stumpT. Tubular frame 2 may also include measurement means 21 such asmeasuring devices for measuring flow, pressure and temperature ofpressurized air. Through the measurement data obtained from thesemeasuring devices, the formation of aerosol A from the pressurized air Iand the powder-like mixture S, K to be combined with it can be adjustedfirst. Subsequently, information received from the measuring means 21can still be used while applying the formed aerosol A onto a tree stumpin a manner described later.

Administering means 4 for dispensing of pressurized air I andpowder-like mixture S, K comprises regulating means 4; 41 associatedwith the frame 2 of the aerosol applicator 1; for adjusting the volumeflow of pressurized air I entering frame 2 via a pressurized air supplypipe 413

The volume flow of pressurized air I may be adjusted using valve 4; 415such as solenoid valve shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. However, in a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the volume flow of the pressurizedair I is controlled automatically using a pressure accumulator 42 andelectromagnetic on/off valves 411; 411 a and 411; 411 b shown in FIG. 3.Administering means 4 also includes pressure accumulator 42 ofpressurized air I for generating and supplying pressurized air I toelectromagnetic valve 411; 411 a, 411 b as well as further inside of theframe 2, through a short supply pipe 413 of pressurized air (compare toFIG. 3).

Administering means 4 further comprises communication means 47 (FIG. 3)for providing to the regulating means 41, preferable electromagneticregulating valves, for example, data about starting time of pressurizedair I delivery and data about pressure level of said pressurized air I.Said communication means 47 also provide the control apparatus 43 withthe data relating to starting time and duration of the dosage ofpowder-like mixture S, K inside the frame 2. The pressure of deliveredpressurized air and dosage of powder-like mixture S, K depends primarilyon the diameter of the tree stump T to be sawed from a trunk (see FIG.7). Communication means are preferably wireless communication meanswhich comprise a transmitter and a receiver of an electromagneticsignal. Suitable wireless communication means comprises of a receiver inconnection of electromagnetic valve or control apparatus and anelectromagnetic signal transmitter in connection with chain sawhydraulic circuit 91 or in connection with a hydraulic circuitcontrolling the actuator affecting to a stump treatment device forliquid 97 (see FIG. 5).

Administering means 4 further comprises control apparatus 43,incorporating a stepper motor 431; 431 a to dispense/dosage powder-likemixture S, K onto the inside of frame 2. The aerosol A can thereafter beformed on the inside of frame 2 and dispensed to the target, i.e. to thetree stump, by supplying a burst of pressurized air I flow inside offrame via supply pipe 413.

Tubular frame 2 also includes a powder storage 4; 45 communicating withthe inside of body 2 by means of supply tube 453 shown in exploded viewof FIG. 2. Powder storage 45 comprises container 451 having powdercartridge 452, which contains powdery mixture being powder-like mixtureS, K. The powder-like mixture S, K is composed of a mixture ofPhiebiopsis gigantea spores, in the presence or not of the culturemedium S used for producing the spores, mixed with a heavier solidpowdery carrier K (compare FIG. 3). Powder storage 45 is operativelycoupled with the previously described control apparatus 43 having astepper motor 431 for dispensing and bringing the powder-like mixture S,K to the inside of frame 2 with supply tube 453. The powder-like mixtureS, K arrives from container 451 to the inside of tubular frame 2 alongsupply tube 453.

Pressurized air I is then supplied from pressure accumulator 42 viapressurized air supply pipe 413 first to the inside of frame 2 and fromthere to spreading head 3.

Regulating means 41 of pressurized air I may also be used for adjustingthe rate of powder-like mixture S, K coming from the powder storage 45in a case regulating means comprises solenoid valve or like. However,normally regulating means 41 began their action only after powder-likemixture S, K have been dispended inside of the frame by means of thestepper motor 431.

The regulating means 41 are controlled by communication means 47, whichare used delivering proper control commands to regulating valve(s) 411for dispensing of pressurized air (compressed air) I and to controlapparatus 43 for adjusting the dosage of powder-like mixture by the usepowder cartridge 452. This is now illustrated more accurately inreferring to FIGS. 3, 5, 6A-6B and 7. Powder-like mixture S, K containsfine carrier K and microbial propagules S, which, in turn, containsabout 5% of water and is formed by the possible culture medium and thefungal spores.

The more general method of the invention is first presented by referringto FIGS. 5, 6A-6B. Said method comprises first receiving data aboutdosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K) by the regulating means 41.

In a general method according to present invention in a tree stump T isspread or dispersed a powder-like mixture, which comprises microbialpropagules which control or prevent the growth of a forest pathogen anda solid fine carrier having a volumetric weight of at least at least0.50 g/cm³, preferable at least 0.60 g/cm³ or most preferable at least 1g/cm³ Said method comprises the following steps:

-   -   receiving data about dosage of a powder-like mixture S, K by the        regulating means 41,    -   dosing the powder-like mixture S, K inside the frame 2 of an        amount which depends on the diameter of the tree stump,    -   forming an aerosol A from pressurized air I and a powder-like        mixture S, K by delivering pressurized air having an adjusted        level into the powder like-mixture S, K,    -   spreading or dispersing the formed aerosol (A) onto a tree stump        by means of pressurized air (I) flow.

As can be from the above general method, the amount of powder-likemixture S, K dispensed automatically inside the frame 2 depends on thediameter of the tree stump T. Also, the pressure level and starting timeof pressurized air I delivered automatically inside the frame 2 dependson the diameter of the tree stump T. Proper control commands toregulating means 41, which control the delivery of pressurized air Iinside the frame 2 is done by the action of communication means 47.These communication means 47 operate automatically and receives datawhich comprise control commands for starting time of delivery, theduration of the delivery and pressure level of the pressurized air Iand/or starting time and the duration of the dosage of powder-likemixture S, K from the overall harvester control system 100 presented inFIG. 5.

In FIG. 5 is schematically illustrated a part of a forest harvester.This part of forest harvester comprises crane with a boom 7 andharvester head 6. Harvester head 6 comprises harvester head tiltingdevice (not shown), feed rollers 61, delimbing knives 62, chain saw 5,stump treatments device for liquid (urea) and stump treatment device(spreading device) 1 for microbial propagules. The latter usespneumatics circuit whereas the other devices, which are connected toharvester head, are controlled by hydraulic circuits. Each hydrauliccircuit comprises hydraulic pump driven by an electric or a combustionmotor (for example diesel motor) and proper valve, piping, filter andthe actuator, Actuator can be hydraulic motor, hydraulic cylinder,electric motor or like which uses harvester head 1 device. Samehydraulic pump may provide hydraulic fluid to several harvester head 6devices.

The hydraulic circuits of different device may be controlled indifferent way depending on the overall harvester control system 100. Forexample, overall hydraulic system 100 may employ only one hydraulicpump, which then gives power to crane 92, base machine, electricity 103and also to working hydraulics 105 of the harvester head 6 devices.There may be overall hydraulic system 100 in which many device hydrauliccircuits have their own hydraulic pumps; for example each delimbingknife 62 may have their own hydraulic motor and one hydraulic pumpemploy each knife hydraulic motor. However, we will consider here themost common harvester control system 100 which uses the same hydraulicpump to employ all working hydraulics 105 in a harvester head 6. Workinghydraulics 105 comprises then following device controls controlled bycorresponding hydraulic circuits, shown in FIG. 5: Chain saw 91, knives92, harvester head tilt 94, feed rollers 95, stump treatment device formicrobial propagules 96 and stump treatment device for liquid 97. Eachhydraulic circuit for controlling corresponding harvester head 6 deviceincludes hydraulic pump, electromagnetic valve and proper hydraulicfluid tubes or pipe leading hydraulic fluid to actuator (hydraulic motorhydraulic cylinder) connected to this specific device.

Fluid pipes leading to harvester head device may be provided by pressuregauges for measuring fluid pressure. Control system 100 may alsocomprise data measurements 80, for example trunk shape measurement 81,trunk diameter measurement 82 and trunk length measurement 83. Theinformation (data) derived from data measurement(s) can be used incombination of data derived from hydraulic circuit of a harvester head 6device to compose control command(s) for controlling other harvesterhead devices. For example data derived from chain saw 5, knives 92,harvester head tilt device 94, feed rollers 95, and stump treatmentdevice for liquid 97 can be combined to data measurements 80 and thiscombined information can then be used for structuring a control command.

In the present invention it is used mainly those control commands whichare derived from harvester control system 100 and which comprise controlcommands which relate to working hydraulics of the harvester head 6 andwhich specifically are derived from the hydraulics circuit 91 of thechain saw 5 or/and derived from the hydraulic circuit of the tree stumptreatment device for liquid 97.

Control commands from chain saw hydraulic circuit 91 are generated bythe electromagnetic valve(s) which open/close the fluid pressureconnection between hydraulic pump and chain saw 5. Control commandsderived from the hydraulic circuit 91 connected to the usage of chainsaw 5 or/and usage of the tree stump treatment device for liquid 97relate, for example to start/shut down chain saw motor (hydraulic motor)or to turn/swing the bar with saw chain into a saw box or out from thesaw box. The saw box is connected to the harvester head 6 (see also FIG.7).

Control commands from chain saw 5 hydraulic circuit 91 can be alsogenerated by the pressure gauge in the pipe or tube of the hydrauliccircuit 91 of the chain saw 5.

The measurement derived from the pressure gauge may indicate, forinstance when the bar of the chain saw is turned back and forth when thestanding tree is sawed and cutted at its lowermost part. This willresult a tree stump T which can be treated with liquid urea, liquidcolour markings or as in the present invention, with powder-likemixture.

Those control commands derived from chain saw 5 hydraulic circuit 91 andwhich relate to hydraulic actuators of employing chain saw (hydraulicmotor or hydraulic cylinder) are then delivered by means ofcommunication means 47 to control apparatus 43 for the dosage of thepowder-like mixture (S, K) with the stepper motor 431. Same kind ofcontrol commands are also delivered by the action of communication means47 to regulating means for controlling first and second electromagneticvalve 411 a, 411 b and pressure accumulator 42.

As mentioned before communication means 47 comprise preferable fromwireless transmitter-receiver systems. This kind of wirelesscommunication means 47 based on wireless technology is widely known andwe refer here to existing literature on this field. Exemplary wirelesscommunication means 47 are transmitter using electromagnetic signalstransmitted from an antenna and a proper receiver of these signals(receptor),

As shown in FIG. 3 pressurized air is arranged to flow automaticallyinside the frame 2 and onward to the spreading end 3 from pressureaccumulator 42 by means of two on/off electromagnetic valves 411.

Referring now also to FIG. 7, there has been schematically presented ina side view a chain saw 5, which is connected to a harvester head 6 ofthe forest machine from its saw box (not shown in figure). The harvesterhead 1 has been placed against the standing tree and chain saw 5 hasbeen activated the. During the tree cutting operation the bar 51 withthe saw chain 53 swings out from the saw box and cuts the tree forming atree stump T. The tree is cutted so that the bar 5 moves in path Phaving starting point P2 and end point P1. At the end point of this pathP tree has been cutted and began to fell down and the bar with the sawchain swings back to the saw box. The control commands from chain saw 5hydraulic circuit 91 is generated from hydraulic actuators whichcontrols the actions of chain saw 5 after the chain saw 5 have reachedthe starting P2 at its path P in cutting a standing tree. Theseactuators are for example hydraulic motor for using the saw chain 53 andand a hydraulic cylinder for swinging the bar. In the beginning ofcutting tree, chain saw bar 51 is turned outside of the saw boxconnected to the harvester head 6.

Control command defining the beginning of the loading of accumulator 42by opening the first electromagnetic valve 411 a and also the startingpoint of the dosage of the powder-like mixture S, K containing microbialpropagules and their possible culture medium S with the proper carrier Kinside the frame 2 is generated by means of the control commands derivedfrom chain saw 5 hydraulic circuit 91. This hydraulic circuit 91controls the actuators which will be connected to actions of chain saw 5when cutting the standing tree and forming a tree stump T.

In FIG. 7 it has been presented how bar 51 of the chain saw 5 reachesthe end point P1 at its path P in sawing/cutting a tree. This eventgenerates a new control command identifying the end of the loading ofpressure accumulator 42 by closing the first electromagnetic valve 411 aand end of dosage of powder-like mixture S, K inside frame by means ofthe control apparatus 43. The timing of the opening and closing eachvalve 411 a, 411 b depends on the diameter of the tree stump, which canbe also measured in the beginning of the method, at the stage 110.However, as stated above the diameter of the tree stump T to beachieved, can also be derived from the actions of chain saw 5 when itgoes in its path P from point P2 to point P1.

Control command defining the delivery time of the pressurized air Iinside the frame 2 by opening the second electromagnetic valve 411 b isgenerated by the control command which is identified or derived from thechain saw hydraulic circuit 91 when the tree began to fell and treestump T will be formed. Because delivering/spreading of mixture ofmicrobial propagules and their possible culture medium S in connectionwith the carrier K onto the tree stump T should be made immediatelyafter the tree stump T has been formed or when the cut tree T is stillfelling down this event should be connected with turning of bar 51 ofthe chain saw 5 back in to saw box. This event can also be connected toa certain time delay from the release of control command(s) identifyingthe end of the loading of accumulator 42 by closing the firstelectromagnetic valve 411 a. This means that the second electromagneticvalve 411 b is opened only after some time delay has been elapsed fromthe dosage of powder-like mixture S, K inside the frame 2.

The above described advantageous embodiment of the present invention isalso presented in FIG. 6B: Diameter of the tree stump T is measured orwill be get from the actions of chain saw when sawing a tree, in thebeginning of the method at the stage 110. Powder cartridge 452containing a powder-like mixture S, K is brought into the storage 451 ofa powder feeding device 45, which powder-like mixture comprisesmicrobial propagules and a solid fine carrier, having a volumetricweight of at least 0.50 g/cm³, at least 0.6 g/cm³ or at least 1.0 g/cm³.

Aerosol A can then be formed from pressurized air I and powder-likemixture S, K. First is released/dosed the powder-like mixture S, K intothe pressurized air I inside the frame 2 (stage 200). This is done byreceiving and defining automatically data about administering time andduration of the powder-like mixture S, K from the hydraulic circuitcontrol commands derived from chain saw 5 hydraulic circuit 91 and bytransmitting these control commands to control means 43 (stage 200)which will dosage said powder-like mixture into frame by means ofstepper motor 431. Due to small amount of powder-like mixture thestepper-motor should be provided with a suitable reduction gear.

Powder-like mixture S, K is first brought with powder cartridge 452having a removable cap into the container 451 of the powder storage 45.Cap is removed from the cartridge 452 which may be tube made of plastic,cardboard or thin metal. Hollow frame 2 of the spreading device 1 can beconnected into flow connection of the powder-like mixture S, K via asupply tube 453. From the container 451 the powder-like mixture S, K canbe dispensed by means of stepper motor 431 along the supply tube 453 tothe inside of frame 2.

The amount of powder-like mixture S, K depends preferably on thediameter of the tree stump, which is measured in the beginning of themethod, at the stage 110.

After the powder-like mixture S, K have been dispensed inside the frame,the pressurized air I is brought inside the frame 2 along pressurizedair I supply pipe 413. Aerosol A is formed (stage 600), as shown in FIG.3, inside of frame 2 from the powder-like mixture S, K and thepressurized air I. This pressurized air I is first loaded into pressureaccumulator 42 (stage 350) by opening the first electromagnetic valve411 a and then delivered inside the frame by closing the firstelectromagnetic valve 411 and opening the second electromagnetic valve411 b (stage 401). Control commands defining these valve actions andloading of pressure accumulator into a certain pressure level has beendescribed above. Shortly said, these control commands are generated fromchain saw 5 hydraulic circuit 91 and transmitted to valves 411 a, 411 bby means of communication means 47 (stage 301).

The flow or pressurized air to the inside of the frame 2 and furtherinto spreading head 3 is controlled by first electromagnetic valve 411 awhich is located just after pressure accumulator 42 in the flowdirection of pressurized air I. Aerosol A of dry matter formed on theinside of frame 2 is dispensed through application head 3 to the target,i.e. onto a tree stump T.

Spreading or dispersing the aerosol (A) (stage 700) to a tree stump isdone by means of a pressurized air I released from the pressureaccumulator 42.

Once aerosol A has been dispensed onto a tree stump through nozzles 31of spreading head 3, the spores of Phiebiopsis gigantea contained in thepowder-like mixture S, K begin to germinate, the fungal mycelium startsto occupy the tree stump T and prevent the growth of the root and buttrot on the tree stump.

Powder-like mixture S, K in powder cartridge 452 contains fungus sporesas well culture medium S of these fungal spores as well as solidfine-grained carrier K. When the fungal spores are Phlebiopsis giganteaspores, their culture medium may be, for example, powdery silica gel.The fungal spores associated with the culture medium have a particlesize of about 10 μm and therefore the particle size K of thefine-grained carrier K should be of the same order of magnitude as therelatively dry powder S.

FIG. 4 further presents a screen chart showing the particle sizedistribution of a preferred fine-grained carrier K, i.e. lime filler.FIG. 4 presents on the vertical axis (Y axis) the pass-throughpercentage of powder passing the screen, and the size of openings of thescreen respectively on the horizontal axis (x-axis). As seen from FIG.4, the particle size of lime according to a screen analysis isapproximately equal to the particle size of the culture medium and thefungal spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea, whereby a homogeneous, drypowdery mixture S, K can be formed of lime, culture medium (silica gel)and fungal spores Phlebiopsis gigantea.

Table 1 further shows volume weights of some powdery substances. Ofthese powdery substances, Rotstop contains silica gel and fungal spores,and ammonium lignosulphonate can be used as an additive in a powderymixture. Other powder-like substances (such as, for example but notlimited to, lime, gypsum, kaolin) shown in Table 1, could be used as asolid carrier K in a powder-like mixture according to the invention totransfer the dry powder formed by fungal spores and the culture mediumonto the target, i.e. a tree stump. As shown in Table 1, the volumeweight of lime is about 1.44 g/ml, so it is sufficiently heavy to carrythe mixture of fungal spores and their culture medium to the target,i.e. the tree trunk. Gypsum and kaolin may also be used as a solidcarrier K, although their volume weight is somewhat lower than that oflime (volume weight of phosphogypsum is 1.04 g/ml and of kaolin, 0.58g/ml, compare Table 1). The volume weight of the solid carrier K shouldat least be approximately 0.50 g/ml, however preferably at least 1 g/ml.As can be seen, the Rotstop powder, which mainly contains fungal sporesand the medium (silica gel) used to grow them, has a relatively lowvolume weight of only about 0.22 g/ml, whereby the spreading of a drymatter aerosol A onto a tree stump matter containing it alone could betroublesome, at least in windy conditions. It has further beendemonstrated that Phiebiopsis gigantea colonizes well the stump surface,even without a liquid carrier, as there is enough moisture on thefreshly cut stump surface to allow for this. However, to ensure a properdensity of fungal spores across the stump surface, the total volume ofpowder applied has to be increased by adding a carrier.

TABLE 1 Densities of some ingredients contained in the powder-likemixture S, K. Material/density g/ml g/l Ammonium lignosulphonate 0.60604 Filler lime (Nordkalk) 1.44 1442 Phosphogypsum (Siilinjärvi) 1.041043 Kaolin (standard porcelain) 0.58 583 Rotsop WP 0.22 220

Only some embodiments of the invention have been described above and itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can beimplemented in many other ways within the scope of the inventive ideaset forth in the claims.

Dispensing of aerosol A can be done for example by using a servo motoror like with a feedback instead of a stepping motor. Control valve 411may in some cases also be a damper plate.

Besides fungal spores and their culture medium as well as fine-grainedcarrier substance K, the powdery mixture S, K contained in powdercartridge 452 may also preferably contain dye and supplementalnutrients. The supplemental nutrients are preferably selected from agroup including lignin and its derivatives such as lignosulphonate andlignohumate and those will help increase the growth rate of fungalspores on a tree stump. In powdery mixture S, K the activity of thefungal spores remains at a high level significantly longer than in asolution-based product.

The powder-like mixture S, K blown onto the tree stump with aerosol Ashould be water-absorbent so that the fungal spores will adhereproperly. Water absorption can be increased either by selecting asuitable water absorbing culture medium for fungal spores (for examplesilica gel) or a suitable fine-grained carrier.

EXAMPLE

Study Comparing the Efficacy of Liquid and Solid Formulation ofPhlebiopsis gigantea Spores

The upper surfaces of freshly cut billets of Norway spruce were treatedwith powder containing Phlebiopsis gigantea (strain ATCC 90304) spores.Spores were obtained by cultivating Phlebiopsis gigantea on solid silicacarrier and drying the colonized growth medium. Inert carriers, calciumcarbonate and ammonium lignosulphonate, were mixed with the dry growthmedium to obtain the following powder formulation:

25% P. gigantea spores on silica

65% CaCO₃

10% ammonium lignosulphonate

The surface of each billet (length about 30 cm, diameter 14-18 cm) wasdivided in two sectors, one section was treated with the powder mixturecomprising the fungal spores and a root rot fungus Heterobasidionparviporum, and the second section was treated only with Heterobasidionparviporum.

Two powder application rates were studied, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/cm². Controlbillets were treated with a commercial stump treatment agent, RotstopSC, as a 1 g/l water suspension. The billets were kept in open air for2.5 months. Then the billets were cut 5 cm below the surface and a 2 cmthick disc was taken, incubated in a plastic bag for one week andanalyzed under a dissecting microscope for Heterobasidion covered areabased on conidiophore development during the incubation. Only discswhere an established Heterobasidion infection in the control side wasobserved were taken into account in calculation of the results.

TABLE 2 Area infested with Heterobasidion in spruce discs treated withdifferent preparations containing Phlebiopsis gigantea in comparisonwith control discs with Heterobasidion only. Area treated with theproduct and Control area treated with Number Discs with noHererobasidion Hererobasidion only Efficacy of discs HeterobasidionTotal disc area Infested area Total disc area Infested area of pcs pcs %cm² cm² % cm² cm² % treatment Powder, 1 mg/cm2 21 16 76% 1428 1.620.113% 1488 20.53 1.38% 92% Powder, 2 mg/cm2 24 22 92% 1596 1.75 0.110%1799 27.53 1.53% 94% Rotstop suspension 23 14 61% 1394 1.34 0.096% 152048.59 3.20% 97%

The results show that all the preparations containing Phiebiopsisgigantea controlled Heterobasidion root rot fungus very effectively. Theefficacy was over 90% with all the treatments. Efficacy of the treatmentwith the powder formulation was comparable to the treatment with thecommercial stump treatment method which is in an aqueous formulation.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

-   1 Spreading device-   2 Frame-   21 measurement means-   3 spreading head-   31 nozzles-   4 Administering means-   41 regulating means-   411 regulating valve(s)-   411 a first electromagnetic valve-   411 b second electromagnetic valve-   413 (pressurized) air supply pipe-   42 pressure accumulator-   43 control apparatus-   431 stepper motor-   45 powder storage-   451 container-   452 powder cartridge-   453 supply tube-   47 communication means-   5 Chain saw-   51 bar-   52 bar holder-   53 chain-   6 Harvester head-   7 Boom-   80 Data measurement-   81 trunk shape-   82 trunk diameter-   83 trunk diameter-   90 Hydraulic circuit-   91 chain saw-   92 crane, boom-   93 knives-   94 harvester head tilt-   95 feed rollers-   96 stump treatment device for microbial propagules-   97 stump treatment device for liquid-   100 Harvester control system-   101 crane hydraulics-   102 pneumatics-   103 electricity-   105 working hydraulics for harvester head-   I Compressed air-   K Carrier-   P Path of the bar-   P1 End point of the path-   P2 Starting point of the path-   S Mixture of microbial propagules and their culture medium-   S1 Mixture of fungal spores and their culture medium-   S, K Powder-like mixture-   T Tree stump

Following are particular embodiments of the disclosed invention.

E1. Spreading device (1) for administering onto a tree stump acomposition which comprises microbial propagules to treat or preventpathogen, which spreading device has a spreading end (3) connected to apipe-like frame (2), and administering means (4) for administering saidcomposition, characterized in that the administering means (4) comprisea feeding device (42) for pressurized air connected to the first end ofthe spreading device's (1) frame (2) and regulating means (41) forregulating the volumetric flow of pressurized air (I) entering theframe, a powder storage (45) in contact with the frame (2), whichstorage contains a powder-like mixture (S, K) made up of microbialpropagules and a solid fine carrier (K), and a regulating device (43)connected to the second end of the frame (2) for administering thepowder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame (2) and means for blowingthe powder-like mixture (S, K) onto a tree stump, via the spreading end(3) connected to the frame (2).

E2. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatpowder-like mixture (S, K) comprises microbial propagules which preventsthe growth of Heterobasidion.

E3. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized inthat powder-like mixture (S, K) is made up of microbial propagules, itspossible culture medium (S) and a solid fine carrier (K).

E4. The spreading device (1) according to any of the claims 1-3,characterized in that microbial propagules is made up of fungal spores.

E5. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe powder storage (45) comprises a container (451), which contains apowder-like mixture (S, K), and means (453) for bringing saidpowder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame (2).

E6. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe regulating means (41) of the administering means (4) comprise aregulating valve (411) for altering the volumetric flow of pressurizedair (I) entering the frame (2).

E7. The spreading device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe regulating valve (411) comprises a magnetic valve (411 a) and/or adamper.

E8. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe regulating device (43) comprises a stepper motor (431) or a servomotor.

E9. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe powder storage (45) comprises a container (451), on the inside ofwhich a powder cartridge (452) can be installed, which cartridge (452)comprises a powder-like mixture of microbial propagules, and a finesolid carrier (K).

E10. The spreading device (1) according to claim 9, characterized inthat the container (451) is connected to the inside of the frame (2) viaa feeding pipe (453).

E11. The spreading device (1) according to claim 9, characterized inthat powder cartridge (452) comprises a powder-like mixture (S, K), madeup of microbial propagules, its culture medium (S) and a solid finecarrier (K).

E12. The spreading device (1) according to any of claim 9-11,characterized in that microbial propagules is made up of fungal spores.

E13. The spreading device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterizedin that the fungal spores' culture medium comprises silica gel.

E14. The spreading device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterizedin that fungal spores comprises spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea.

E15. The spreading device (1) according to any of claims 9-14,characterized, the volumetric weight of solid fine (K) carrier is atleast 0.50 g/ml, preferably at least 0.60 g/ml most preferably at least1 g/ml.

E16. The spreading device (1) according to any of claims 9-15,characterized in that the powder cartridge (452) contains a solid finecarrier, which is selected from the group consisting of lime (CaCO₃),plaster and kaolin.

E17. The spreading device (1) according to any of the claims 9-16,characterized in that the powder cartridge (452) additionally contains acolouring substance and nutritional supplements.

E18. A powder cartridge (452) available for use in a feeding device (45)of a spreading device (1) according to claims 1 and 9, characterized inthat the powder cartridge (452) contains a powder-like mixture, whichcomprises microbial propagules and a solid fine carrier, thecharacteristic weight of which is at least 0.5 g/ml, preferably at least0.6 g/ml most preferably 1.0 g/ml.

E19. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 18, characterized inthat the solid fine carrier (S) is selected from a group consisting oflime, plaster and kaolin.

E20. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 18 or 19,characterized in that the powder-like mixture additionally contains acolouring substance and nutritional supplements.

E21. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 20, characterized inthat the nutritional supplement comprising lignin and its derivatives,such as lignosulphonate and lignohumate.

E22. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 18-24, characterizedin that the powder cartridge contains 5-30 w-% of a mixture of microbialpropagules, 60-90 w-% solid carrier and 1-10 w-% colouring substance andnutritional supplements.

E23. The powder cartridge (452) according to any of the claims 18-22,characterized in that the microbial propagules are fungal spores whichprevents the growth of Heterobasidion.

E24. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 23, characterized inthat the fungal spores are spores of Phiebiopsis gigantean and saidpowder cartridge contains additionally the culture medium.

E25. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 24, characterized inthat the fungal spores' culture medium comprises silica gel.

E26. The powder cartridge (452) according to any of the claims 18-25,characterized in that the powder cartridge contains 70 w-% lime, 20 w-%of a mixture of Phiebiopsis gigantea fungal spores and their culturemedium (S), and 10 w-% colouring substance and nutritional supplements.

E27. A composition in the form of a powder-like mixture (S, K), whichcomprises microbial propagules and a solid carrier, the volumetricweight of which is at least 0.50 g/ml, preferably at least 0.60 g/mlmost preferably at least 1.0 g/ml.

E28. The composition according claim 27, characterized in that thepowder-like mixture (S, K) contains a solid carrier, which is selectedfrom the group consisting of lime, (CaCO₃), plaster and kaolin.

E29. The composition according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in thatthe powder-like mixture (S, K) additionally contains a colouringsubstance and nutritional supplements.

E30. The composition according to claim 29, characterized in that thenutritional supplement comprises lignin and its derivatives, such aslignosulphonate and lignohumate.

E31. The composition according to any of the claims 27-30, characterizedin that the microbial propagules are fungal spores which prevents thegrowth of Heterobasidion.

E32. The composition according to claim 31, characterized in that thefungal spores are spores of Phiebiopsis gigantean which compositioncontains additionally the culture medium.

E33. The composition according to claim 32, characterized in that thefungal spores' culture medium comprises silica gel.

E34. The composition according to any of the claims 27-33, characterizedin that it contains 5-30 w-% of a mixture of Phiebiopsis gigantea fungalspores and their culture medium (S), 60-90 w-% solid carrier (K) and1-10 w-% colouring substance and nutritional supplements.

E35. The composition according to any of claims 27-34, characterized inthat the composition contains 70 w-% lime, 20 w-% of a mixture ofPhiebiopsis gigantea fungal spores and their culture medium (S), and 10w-% colouring substance and nutritional supplements.

E36. Use of any composition according to any one of the claims 27-35,which comprise a powder-like mixture (S, K) for treating pathogens orpreventing growth of pathogens.

E37. The use of claim 36 wherein pathogen is fungal pathogen.

E38. The use of claim 36 wherein pathogen is Heterobasidon.

E39. Use of a composition comprising a powder-like mixture (S, K)according to any of the claims 27-35 for treating pathogens orpreventing growth of pathogens on a tree stump, which use includes thespreading or dispersing of the powder-like mixture on said tree stump bymachine or manually.

E40. The use of claim 39 wherein pathogen is fungal pathogen.

E41. The use of claim 40 wherein pathogen is Heterobasidon.

E42. The use according to any one of claims 39-41 wherein 250-1000 g ofthe powder-like mixture is spread onto the tree stumps per hectare oflogging area.

E43. A method for spreading or dispersing onto a tree stump apowder-like mixture comprising microbial propagules and a solid finecarrier, the volumetric weight of which is at least 0.50 g/ml, morepreferably 0.6 g/ml most preferably 1.0 g/ml, wherein the methodcomprises the following steps:

-   -   generating an aerosol (A) containing a solid matter from        pressurized gas and a powder-like mixture, which comprises        microbial propagules and a solid fine carrier, the        characteristic weight of which carrier is at least 0.50 g/ml,        more preferably 0.6 g/ml most preferably 1.0 g/ml,    -   spreading or dispersing the aerosol (A) containing solid matter        to a tree stump by means of a pressurized gas.

E44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that thepressurized gas is pressurized air (I).

E45. The method according to claim 43 or 44 for spreading or dispersingonto a tree stump a powder-like mixture comprising microbial propagulesand a solid fine carrier, the characteristic weight of which carrier isat least 0.50 g/ml, more preferably 0.6 g/ml most preferably 1.0 g/ml,with a spreading device (1) defined in claim 1, characterized in thatthe method comprises the following steps:

-   -   bringing a powder cartridge (452) containing a powder-like        mixture into the storage (451) of a powder feeding device (45),        which powder-like mixture comprises, in addition to microbial        propagules a solid fine carrier (K), the characteristic weight        of which is at least 0.50 g/ml, more preferably 0.6 g/ml most        preferably 1.0 g/ml,    -   manufacturing an aerosol (A) containing solid matter from        pressurized air (I) and the powder-like mixture, by releasing        the powder-like mixture into the pressurized air (I) inside the        frame (2),    -   spreading or dispersing the aerosol (A) to the tree stump by        means of the pressurized air (I) contained in the aerosol (A).

E46. The method according to any of the claims 43-45, characterized inthat the method further comprises arranging pressurized air (I) to flowinside the frame (2) and onward to the spreading end (3) by means of theregulating means (41) for pressurized air.

E47. The method according to any of the claims 43-46, characterized inthat the method comprises administering the powder-like mixture into thepressurized air (I) inside the frame (2) by means of the regulatingdevice (43).

E48. The method according to any of the claims 43-47, characterized inthat the microbial propagules are fungal spores which prevents thegrowth of Heterobasidion.

E49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that the fungalspores are spores of Phiebiopsis gigantean and said powder cartridgecontains additionally the culture medium.

E50. The method according to claim 49, characterized in that the fungalspores' culture medium comprises silica gel.

E51. The method of claim 50, characterized in that fungal spores arespores of Phlebiopsis gigantean with possible culture medium.

E52. A powder-like mixture spread or dispersed onto a tree stump, whichcomprises fungal spores and culture medium of Phiebiopsis gigantea (S)and additionally a solid fine carrier (K), which powder-like mixture hasabsorbed water so that its characteristic weight has grown compared tothe characteristic weight of the powder-like mixture contained in thepowder cartridge (452).

What is claimed is:
 1. A spreading device (1) adapted to administer ontoa tree stump (T) a composition which comprises microbial propagules tocontrol or prevent the growth of a forest pathogen, which spreadingdevice comprises: a spreading end (3) connected to a pipe-like frame(2), and administering means (4) for administering said composition,wherein said administering means (4) comprise a pressure accumulator(42) for loading pressurized air (I), said pressure accumulator (42)being connected to a first end of the pipe-like frame (2) via a supplypipe (413) and regulating means (41) which comprises at least oneregulating valve (411) for regulating flow of the pressurized air (I)entering the frame (2) which regulating means (41) further comprisescommunication means (47) for providing to the at least one regulatingvalve (411) data about starting time of pressurized air (I) delivery anddata about duration of said pressurized air (I) delivery, wherein saidpressure of pressurized air depends on the diameter of the tree stumpand which administering means (4) further comprises: a powder storage(45) which contains a powder-like mixture (S, K) comprising microbialpropagule (S) and a solid fine carrier (K), which powder storage (45) isconfigured to be capable of being brought into a flow connection of thepowder-like mixture with the frame (2), and a control apparatus (43)connected to a second end of the frame (2) for administering thepowder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame (2) and means for blowingthe powder-like mixture (S, K) onto a tree stump, via a spreading head(3) connected to the frame (2).
 2. The spreading device according toclaim 1, wherein the communication means (47) further enables providinga control apparatus (43) with the data relating to starting time andduration of the dosage of powder-like mixture (S, K) inside the frame(2).
 3. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein theregulating means (41) comprises two regulating valves; a firstregulating valve (411 a) before the pressure accumulator (42) and asecond regulating valve (411 b) after the pressure accumulator in theflow direction of pressurized air (I).
 4. The spreading device accordingto claim 3, wherein at least one regulating valve (411) iselectromagnetic valve, preferably the first and the second regulatingvalves (411) are electromagnetic valves, wherein the firstelectromagnetic valve (411 a) which locates before the pressureaccumulator (42) defines pressure level of pressurized air (I) in thepressure accumulator (42) and the second electromagnetic valve (411 b)which locates after the pressure accumulator (42) defines the startingtime of delivery of pressurized air into frame (2) of the spreadingdevice.
 5. The spreading device according to claim 1, wherein saidcommunication means (47) operate automatically and receive data from aharvester control system, which data comprises control commands forstarting time of delivery and the pressure of pressurized air (I) and/orstarting time and duration of dosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K).6. The spreading device according to claim 5, wherein the controlcommands received from the harvester control system (100) comprisescontrol commands relating to working hydraulics (105) of a harvesterhead which controls a hydraulic circuit (91, 97) connected to usage of achain saw or/and usage of tree stump treatment device for liquid.
 7. Thespreading device according to claim 6, wherein control commands arearranged to be generated by or derived from valve(s) which open/closefluid pressure connection between a hydraulic pump and hydraulicactuators of a chain saw (5) or control commands are arranged to begenerated by or derived from a pressure gauge in a pipe/tube ofhydraulic circuit (91) of the chain saw (5).
 8. The spreading deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein control commands from harvester controlsystem (100) which relate to pressure level of delivered pressurized airand/or dosage of the powder-like mixture (S, K) depend on the trunkshape/diameter specifically depend on diameter of cut tree stump (T)diameter.
 9. The spreading device according claim 5, wherein thepressure of the pressurized air (I) to be loaded into the pressureaccumulator (42) depends on the dimension of the tree stump T andoptionally also the duration of the delivery of pressurized air (I) andcan be commenced automatically by action of the communication means. 10.The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said powderstorage (45) further comprises a container (451) configured to receive apowder cartridge (452) comprising a powder-like mixture of microbialpropagules, a culture medium (S) used for producing the microbialpropagules and a fine solid carrier (K), preferably said microbialpropagules are fungal spores, and preferably said solid fine carrier (K)has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm³, or at least 0.60 g/cm³or at least 1 g/cm³.
 11. The spreading device (1) according to claim 10,wherein said powder cartridge (452) further contains a removable cap andsaid powder storage contains means (453) for bringing said powder-likemixture (S, K) in flow connection with the inside of the frame (2) afterremoving said cap.
 12. The spreading device according to claim 11,wherein said powder cartridge (452) is a tube made of plastic, cardboardor thin metal.
 13. The spreading device (1) according to claim 11,wherein said container (451) is connected to flow connection of thepowder-like mixture with inside of the frame (2) via a supply tube(453).
 14. The spreading device (1) according to claim 10, wherein saidfungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably sporesPhlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis giganteastrain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof.
 15. The spreading device(1) according to claim 1, wherein said regulating valve (41) of theadministering means (4) comprises a magnetic valve (411 a) and/or adamper for altering the volumetric flow and/or pressure of pressurizedair (I) entering the frame (2), and the magnetic valve is preferably anon/off-valve.
 16. The spreading device (1) according to claim 1, whereinsaid control apparatus (43) comprises a stepper motor (431) or a servomotor.
 17. A powder cartridge (452) containing a powder-like mixture,which powder cartridge (452) is adapted to be used in the spreadingdevice (1) of claim 1, wherein said powder-like mixture of the powdercartridge can be brought into the flow connection with the frame (2) ofthe spreading device (1) by the usage of a control apparatus (43), whichpowder-like mixture comprises microbial propagules, preferably fungalspores, and a solid fine carrier, wherein said solid fine carrier hasvolumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm³, or at least 0.60 g/g/cm³, orat least 1 g/cm³ and wherein the amount of said powder-like mixture tobe administered on the tree stump is arranged to be depend on diameterof the tree stump (T) to be treated.
 18. The powder cartridge (452)according to claim 17, wherein said powder cartridge comprises 5 to-50%w-% of fungal spores and 5 to-90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably10 to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid finecarrier; and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of anutritional supplement, or a mixture thereof, preferably comprisinglignin and lignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate or lignohumate.19. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17, wherein saidfungal spores are in combination with a culture medium (S) used forproducing the fungal spores, and the culture medium optionally comprisesamorphous silica.
 20. The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17,wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea;preferably spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsisgigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 orPhlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. 21.The powder cartridge (452) according to claim 17, wherein said solidfine carrier (S) is lime, calcium carbonate, kaolin, bentonite, talc,gypsum, chitosan, vermiculite, perlite, amorphous silica, granular clay,fine-grained cellulose powder, polysaccharides, chitin, chitosan,polyacrylamide, lignin derivatives, cereal flours, yeast extract,betaine or fine-grained composition made of cereal grains, bran,sawdust, peat or wood chips or a mixture thereof; preferably calciumcarbonate.
 22. A composition in the form of a powder-like mixture (S,K), wherein said composition comprises microbial propagules and a solidfine carrier wherein said microbial propagules are fungal spores whichcontrol or prevent the growth of forest pathogens on a tree stump andwherein said solid fine carrier has a volumetric weight of at least 0.50g/cm³, or at least 0.60 g/cm³, or at least 1 g/cm³.
 23. The compositionaccording to claim 22, wherein said composition comprises 5 to 50% w-%of fungal spores and 5 to 90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier,and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritionalsupplement, or a mixture thereof, preferably comprising lignin andlignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate or lignohumate.
 24. Thecomposition of claim 22, wherein said fungal spores are in combinationwith a culture medium (S) used for producing the fungal spores, and theculture medium optionally comprising amorphous silica.
 25. Thecomposition according to claim 22, wherein said fungal spores are sporesof Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably spores of Phlebiopsis giganteastrain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsisgigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, ora combination thereof.
 26. The composition according to claim 22,wherein said solid fine carrier is lime, calcium carbonate, kaoline,bentonite, talc, gypsum, chitosan, vermiculite, perlite, amorphoussilica, granular clay, fine-grained cellulose powder, polysaccharides,chitin, chitosan, polyacrylamide, lignin derivatives, cereal flours,yeast extract, betaine or fine-grained composition made of cerealgrains, bran, sawdust, peat or wood chips or a mixture thereof,preferably calcium carbonate.
 27. A method to control or prevent orcontrol growth of Heterobasidon fungal pathogen on a tree stump, themethod comprising the steps of: a) providing a composition according toclaim 22; and b) spreading or dispersing of the composition in apowder-like mixture on said tree stump by machine or manually, whereinthe spreading in step b) is at least 1 mg/cm², or at least 2 mg/cm², orat least 3 mg/cm² of the powder-like mixture is spread onto the treestumps of logging area.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein thecomposition in step a) comprises 5 to-50% w-% of fungal spores and 5-90w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10 to 30% w-% of fungal sporesand 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier, and optionally 0.5 to 5% of amarker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritional supplement, or a mixturethereof, preferably comprising lignin and lignin derivatives, such aslignosulphonate or lignohumate.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein aidfungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea; preferably spores ofPhlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 or Phlebiopsis giganteastrain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof.
 30. A method for spreadingor dispersing onto a tree stump a powder-like mixture comprisingmicrobial propagules which control or prevent the growth of a forestpathogen and a solid fine carrier having a volumetric weight of at least0.50 g/cm³, or at least 0.60 g/cm³ or at least 1 g/cm³, wherein saidmethod comprises the following steps: receiving data about dosage of apowder-like mixture (S, K) by regulating means (41), dosing thepowder-like mixture (S, K) to an amount which depends on the diameter ofthe tree stump, forming an aerosol (A) from pressurized gas and thepowder-like mixture by delivering pressurized gas on adjusted rate andamount into the powder like-mixture (S, K), reading or dispersing theaerosol (A) onto a tree stump by means of pressurized gas flow, whereinsaid pressurized gas is preferably pressurized air (I).
 31. The methodaccording to claim 30 for spreading or dispersing onto a tree stump apowder-like mixture comprising microbial propagules and a solid finecarrier, having a volumetric weight of at least 0.50 g/cm³, or at least0.60 g/cm³ or at least 1 g/cm³, with the spreading device (1) of inclaim 1, comprising in the powder storage (45) a powder cartridge (452),which contains a powder-like mixture, which comprises microbialpropagules and a solid fine carrier, wherein said method comprisesfollowing steps: receiving data about amount or/and administering timeand duration of the powder-line mixture (S, K) by the regulating means(41) which amount and/or administering time depends on the diameter ofthe tree stump, dosaging of powder-like mixture inside the frame (2) bymeans of the control apparatus (43), defining automatically pressurelevel of air to be loaded into pressure accumulator (42), loadingpressurized air into pressure accumulator (42) when dosaging powder-likemixture inside the frame (2), forming an aerosol (A) from pressurizedair (I) and the powder-like mixture, by delivering pressurized air (I)with and preferably automatically adjusted pressure level of a durationinto the powder-like mixture present inside the frame (2), and spreadingor dispersing the aerosol (A) to the tree stump by means of thepressurized air (I) flow.
 32. The method according to claim 31, whereinsaid the method further comprises arranging pressurized air (I) to flowautomatically inside the frame (2) and onward to the spreading end (3)from pressure accumulator (42) by means of at least one, preferably bymeans of two regulating valves (411).
 33. The method according to 31,wherein said method comprises receiving control commands relating tostarting time and pressure level of delivered pressurized air and/ordosage of the powder-like mixture from the harvester control systempreferably from the control commands of harvester control systemcomprises control commands relating to working hydraulics of theharvester head which controls the usage of the chain saw or/and usage oftree stump treatment device for liquid.
 34. The method according toclaim 31, wherein control commands of the usage of the chain saw or/andusage of tree stump treatment device for liquid are based on thehydraulic circuit which are connected to actuators controlling theactions of chain saw (5) of the harvester head (6).
 35. The methodaccording to claim 34, wherein control command defining the beginning ofthe loading of accumulator (42) and dosage of powder-like mixture (S, K)inside the frame (2) s derived or generated from the hydraulic circuit(91) which controls the actuators which employs the actions of chain saw(5) when the bar of the chain saw (5) reaches the starting point (P2) atits path (P) in cutting a tree stump (T) from a standing tree.
 36. Themethod according to claim 34, wherein control commands defining the endof the loading of accumulator (42) and dosage of the powder-like mixture(S, K) inside frame is also derived or generated from the hydrauliccircuit (91) which controls the actuators employing the chain saw (5),after the bar (5) of the chain saw (5) reaches the end point at its path(P) in cutting a tree stump (T) from a standing tree.
 37. The methodaccording to claim 34, wherein control command defining the delivery ofthe pressurized air (I) into the frame (2) and among the powder-likemixture (S,K) which has been dosaged therein before, is generated orderived from the hydraulic circuit (91) which controls the actuatorsemploying the chain saw (5) after the chain saw (5) bar (51) reaches thestarting (P2) at its path (P) in sawing a tree stump (T) from a standingtree.
 38. The method according to claim 34, wherein said controlcommands from harvester control system (100) relate to pressure level ofdelivered pressurized air and/or dosage of the powder-like mixture (S,K) which control commands further depend on the trunk shape/diameter.39. The method of claim 38, wherein the composition comprises 5 to-50%w-% of fungal spores and 5-90 w-% of a solid fine carrier, preferably 10to 30% w-% of fungal spores and 20 to 80% w-% of a solid fine carrier,and optionally 0.5 to 5% of a marker dye or 0.5 to 20% of a nutritionalsupplement, or a mixture thereof.
 40. The method of claim 38, whereinsaid fungal spores in said powder cartridge are in combination with aculture medium (S) used for producing the spores and said culture mediumoptionally comprises amorphous silica.
 41. The method of claim 40,wherein said fungal spores are spores of Phlebiopsis gigantean,preferably spores of Phlebiopsis gigantea strain ATCC 90304, Phlebiopsisgigantea strain DSMZ 26191, Phlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 26192 orPhlebiopsis gigantea strain DSMZ 16201, or a combination thereof. 42.The method according claim 41, wherein said solid fine carrier is lime,calcium carbonate, kaoline, bentonite, talc, gypsum, chitosan,vermiculite, perlite, amorphous silica, granular clay, fine-grainedcellulose powder, polysaccharides, chitin, chitosan, polyacrylamide,lignin derivatives, cereal flours, yeast extract, betaine orfine-grained composition made of cereal grains, bran, sawdust, peat orwood chips or a mixture thereof, preferably calcium carbonate.
 43. Themethod according to claim 39, wherein said nutritional supplementcomprises lignin and lignin derivatives, such as lignosulphonate orlignohumate.